Tributes are being sent in for popular South African rapper Riky Rick, who has died at 34.
His family in a statement confirmed his death, which occurred early on Wednesday, “with profound sadness” and asked for privacy and prayers.
The death of the rapper, whose real name is Rikhado Makhado, came after he had posted a final tweet saying he would “return stronger. This land is still my home.”
The star revealed in 2020 that he had been struggling with depression following the death of his father.
He had been due to host his second successful sold-out music festival titled Cotton Fest next month
His death has been trending in South Africa.
” His legacy and reputation in the industry was about investing and uplifting youth and young talent in the community and creating a healthy and successful black music industry.”
Fellow artist P Kuttah in a tribute thanked him “for everything you did for the culture, for always pushing boundaries of SA music and being a positive light in the industry.”
Chad de Don said: “ Your energy was unmatched. Thanks for everything you did brother. Hate it ended this way.”